LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas officials are putting out a call for more foster families.

The Department of Human Services on Friday asked more people to volunteer to take in youths in need of a home.

The agency said last year nearly 8,000 children were in foster care in the state, with up to 4,000 in DHS care daily.

At present, the state has only 1,179 foster homes. The Division of Children and Family Services said having more homes available makes it more likely that siblings can be kept together. The agency says it also needs homes for older children and youths with special needs.

May is National Foster Care Month, and DHS is using the occasion to drum up more interest among families eligible to take in children in need of stable homes.